Research Associate I (Hourly)

University-of-Illinoi; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

The Research Associate - Hourly at University of Illinois Chicago supports engagement coaching for a 3-arm digital mental health study among healthcare workers. The role includes conducting an initial engagement call and weekly follow-ups over a 6-week CBT-based Sunnyside intervention, with a Human Support arm adding ongoing contact via text, email, or phone.

You will record engagement data in REDCap, attend supervision meetings, and handle paperwork while applying foundational research concepts

Qualifications

• Field experience (e.g., motivational interviewing or coaching experience).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Organizational skills related to completing research documents.
• Knowledge of fundamental research concepts, practices and procedures.
• Entry level knowledge of research methods.

Responsibilities

• Provide initial engagement call and weekly follow-up contact during 6-week intervention period to assigned participants in the Human Support group.
• Record participant engagement details in REDCap following each contact.
• Attend weekly supervision and team meetings.
• Maintain and process required paperwork.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Skills

Field experience

Independent work

Team collaboration

Research concepts

Research methods basics

Job description

Posted on: 9/18/2026 - Application Deadline: -

Hiring Department: Center for Clinical and Translational Science

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1042929

Salary: The wage for this position is $13,682 ($32.89 / hour)

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

Position Summary

The Research Associate - Hourly provides support as an engagement coach for a research study testing how well different engagement strategies/components of digital mental health programs/apps may enhance engagement and use of these programs by healthcare workers. In this 3-arm study, participants will all receive the CBT-based intervention, Sunnyside, for 6 weeks. One arm - the Human Support group - will additionally receive an initial engagement call (15-20 minutes) and weekly follow-up contact via text, email, or phone call (based on participant preference) from the engagement coach.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide initial engagement call and weekly follow-up contact during 6-week intervention period to assigned participants in the Human Support group.
• Record participant engagement details in REDCap following each contact.
• Attend weekly supervision and team meetings.
• Maintain and process required paperwork.
• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Field experience (e.g., motivational interviewing or coaching experience).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Organizational skills related to completing research documents
• Knowledge of fundamental research concepts, practices and procedures.
• Entry level knowledge of research methods.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

Looking for more University of Illinois positions?

We invite you to search for positions at each of the University of Illinois locations, the University of Illinois System Office and the University of Illinois Foundation. The University of Illinois System Office supports the primary missions of teaching, research, public service, and economic development for all of the Universities and offers positions in all locations. The University of Illinois Foundation is the official fundraising and private gift-receiving agency for the University of Illinois and also offers position in all locations. Click the links below to search for other University of Illinois positions.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, covid sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.